How to save money buying travel online and get the best deal.

Author: Jolana Klobouk

Article:
Want to save some money when booking your travel online? Here
are some tips to help you do just that. You at home have access
to thousands of travel deals with the click of a mouse.

1. Sign up for travel e-newsletters

Many airlines, tour operators, online travel agencies and travel
sites have newsletters that they will send you via email; these
usually include their latest travel deals.

2. Shop around

Check various travel sites and make sure you are comparing
apples to apples, know what is included. That great cruise deal
may not include airfare to the port! Also check in with a travel
agent to compare prices. They may in fact have a better travel
deal for you.

3. Consider all possible discounts

Do you have Air Miles or frequent flyer miles you can cash in?
AAA/CAA membership or other affiliations? Ask about child or
senior discounts. Do they have family rates or group rates?
Don't be afraid to ask.

4. Make the travel web sites do the work

Some of them will let you specify the dates of travel and
vacation you are looking for and will send you an email when the
price reaches your limit.

5. Travel in off-season.

Off-season will vary depending on where you are travelling so do
your research and find out when that is. Off-season includes
winter for Europe, summer and fall for the Caribbean, and when
the kids are in school for theme parks like Disney and so on.

6. Traveling during the week can save you money

Saturday and flights during the week are less crowded and
therfore more likely to have last minute discounting. Some
companies charge a bit less for vacation package that leave
mid-week. Many business hotels may also charge less on weekends.

7. Read your newspaper’s travel section

The Saturday travel sections in most newspapers are still a good
source for travel news, tips and last minute travel deals,
departing from your city. Read them religiously.

8. Do some negotiating of your own.

Just ask for a deal or a better price! This will usually work if
you are dealing with a hotel or car rental company directly. It
may also work with some travel agents.

9. Book last minute

When looking for a last minute travel deal, start shopping
around about 6 weeks prior to your departure to get a good idea
for prices and availability. Narrow down where you want to go
and compare some prices. About 3 weeks prior to departure is
probably your best time to book. When you notice packages begin
to sell out, you want to book before you miss out on that travel
deal. The prices only go so low and sometimes sell out before
they really drop in price.

10. Book early

Some of the best deals may be had booking early. Most tour
operators and cruise companies offer discounts for early
booking. If there is a specific date you want to travel and or
you have a specific resort or destination in mind, you are
better off to book early and secure your vacation than to risk
waiting for a last minute travel deal that may or may not happen.

Keep in mind the cheaper is not always better. If you save a few
hundred dollars by adding lots of stops to your flight or
staying in a hotel you are not happy with, it won't be worth it.
Save some money but don't compromise too much with what you
really want and need.

About the author:
Jolana Klobouk is the webmaster of
http://www.best-family-beach-vacations.com. A parent and former
travel agent, she has travelled extensively for work and
vacations with her family.